Turkey elections

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to MPs at his party's group meeting in the Turkish parliament on Jan. 21, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey.

Analysis

How the Iran war is giving Turkey's Erdogan a big boost

Opinion polls show Turks turning to Erdogan as a steady hand during the war, even as the country's finances remain fragile.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

In Turkey, is Bilal Erdogan preparing to replace his father?

Analysts say Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s son is more likely to seek a leadership position in his party before a presidential bid as surveys point to weak popular support.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

A picture of Akin Gurlek.

Erdogan taps Istanbul prosecutor as justice minister in cabinet reshuffle

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday appointed Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akin Gurlek, who has been overseeing the ongoing investigation against Turkey’s main opposition party as justice minister.

ABIR SULTAN / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Eyeing Turkey, Netanyahu boosts Greece, Cyprus ties ahead of US visit

Worried about the increasing empowerment of Turkey across the Middle East, Israel is making a show of neighborhood strength with Greece and Cyprus.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

Turkey sentences journalist over 4 years in jail for threatening Erdogan

Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altayli is pictured in this undated image.

Turkey sees FDI rise 58% as investor confidence returns

Ferries sail on Bosphorus in Istanbul, on August 29, 2025, next to the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, known as Bosphorus bridge.

Turkish markets, lira gain as Ankara delays ruling on opposition head's ouster

Serdar Ozsoy/Getty Images

Turkey detains 30 as government crackdown on opposition deepens: What to know

A protestor holds a placard of Istanbul's detained Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as they listen to the leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel during a rally protesting the 100th day of his detention at Sarachane Square in Istanbul on July 1, 2025. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)

Chairman of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) in Turkey, Ozgur Ozel, delivers a speech during a rally by members of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (Disk) calling for economic justice and protesting against the increasing tax burden on workers in Ankara on Nov. 17, 2023.

'Landmark' talks between Turkey’s opposition leader, Erdogan spark hopes for reform

A "historic" meeting between Turkey's president and Ozgur Ozel may mark the beginning of a budding political relationship — but that remains to be seen.

Newly re-elected Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

In Turkey, Istanbul mayor faces backlash after calling Hamas a ‘terrorist organization’

Turkey's president is notably staying mum over the comments made by Istanbul’s popular mayor.

EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/AFP via Getty Images

Blinken, Fidan meet after Turkey postpones Erdogan's White House visit

The top US and Turkish diplomats met in the Saudi capital today after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s long-sought visit to the White House was postponed Friday.

Ismail Haniyeh.

Hamas' Haniyeh to visit Turkey as Erdogan hits back at Gaza criticism

The Turkish president dials up his defensive tone in response to domestic criticism over the Gaza war.

Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek looks on before the press conference following the cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on August 21, 2023. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Can Turkey’s economic czar stick to belt-tightening after election loss?

The Turkish government hopes that its remaining four-year mandate will give it time to placate popular anger before the next polls.

Protesters wave Turkish and Palestinian flags during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, in Ankara on Dec. 24, 2023, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip.

Turkey's trade boycott of Israel: 'more theatre,' less substance

Turkey's ban on some exports to Israel aims to appease a domestic audience, but it could end up doing the most damage to Ankara and its flailing economy.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan speaks during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela in Caracas on Feb. 24, 2024.

Turkey to take ‘series of measures’ against Israel after Gaza aid drop denied

The Turkish foreign minister said the measures would be "implemented step by step, without delay," but did not specify the actions to be taken.

Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul mayor and the Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate, takes off his tie from atop a campaign bus while claiming victory surrounded by family members on April 1, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Five key takeaways from Turkey's local elections

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) came up short in recent local elections as Turks, including longtime AKP voters, expressed their dismay over the spiraling economy.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Protesters demonstrate on Kibris Sehitleri Avenue in Izmir against the denial of Abdullah Zeydan's right to be elected and the handover of the mandate to AKP candidate Abdulahat Arvas, April 2, 2024.

Turkey’s election board reverses decision to block pro-Kurdish party's local win

Turkey’s high election board will unblock the pro-Kurdish party candidate’s election win amid protests in the country's Kurdish majority southeast.

Supporters of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party.

Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party slams annulment of election victory in southeast

The move, which sparked violent protest in the southeastern province of Van, is widely seen as a fresh crackdown on the country's pro-Kurdish party by Turkish authorities.

Opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) supporters celebrate outside the main municipality building following municipal elections across Turkey, in Istanbul on March 31, 2024. Turkey's main opposition party on March 31 claimed victory in Istanbul and Ankara, with its rising political star emerging from local elections as a serious challenger to veteran President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan, addressing supporters at his party's headquarters in Ankara, acknowledged a "turning point" for his party and pro

Analysis

Turkey's Erdogan handed historic setback in local elections

For the first time since its inception in 2001, the ruling party’s nationwide vote share fell below that of the main opposition, dealing a blow to the Turkish president’s post-election plans, analysts believe.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Ahead of March 31 municipal elections, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) addresses supporters during a campaign rally in Istanbul, March 22, 2024.

Will Erdogan’s fate be decided at Turkey's local polls?

An opposition victory in March 31 municipal elections, including in Istanbul, could shake up Turkey's political scene in unpredictable ways, perhaps even descent into full-blown authoritarianism.